Adenosine diphosphate (ADP), is a small nucleotide. It is an ester of pyrophosphoric acid with the nucleoside adenosine. ADP interacts with a proteins/purinergic receptors found on platelets leading to platelet activation. The ADP and purinergic receptor interaction is involved in platelet aggregation. Thus this interaction is more significane to understanding the function of these receptors that would enable development of potential target for the treatment of thromboembolisms and other clotting disorders.

Figure: Interaction of ADP and proteins/purinergic receptors eading to platelet activation. (Figure taken from ........)